ABSTRACT
AIM: To prepare the sodium ferulate sustained-release pellets and evaluate its release characteristics and release mechanism in vitro. METHODS: Sugar core beads and drug-containing pellets were prepared by centrifugal granulation,and then coated by Surelease using the fluid-bed.The release characteristics and release mechanism of the pellets were studied by the dissolution method. RESULTS: The surface of the coated pellets was smooth and glossy and round.The release rate of sodium ferulate met lot-to-lot uniformity.The release rate of the pellet consisted of two kinds of pellets decreased with the increasing of the film thickness.The finishing time was 24 h.The dissolution profiles of sodium ferulate from the pellets showed a good fit of the Higuchi equation.(CONCLUSION): The pellets exhibit more ideal sustained-release characteristics in vitro.